There are some bag lusts that you think will die over time and with the rising hype…. and then they don’t. Ugh! Don’t you hate it when that happens?!
For me, this bag lust that refuses to die is for the Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag. I’d spotted it online, not long after it first gained traction. But it was always (and still is always) almost impossible to get hold of one. Or at least, one in a colour that you really want.
The one I’m most keen on would be the original version, in the smooth calf leather, with a black exterior and a bright red interior. That contrast of colours is eye catching and not often found. But this is also the one that’s hardest to get hold of, because this is the one everyone wants! 😛
The Mansur Gavriel bucket bag comes in 2 sizes – the regular and the mini, which is seen on the model above. Having had the luxury of pawing at both sizes on 2 different people lucky enough to snag one for themselves in recent times, I’ve decided that the mini size would be better for me. The regular one just feels a little too large.
But all that’s for naught, if I can’t get hold of it can I?! And that brings me to why I feel like my bag lust should just die already.
Aside from the reason that these full leather bags are fairly affordable (in the designer bag league) weighing in at US$595 for the regular size and US$495 for the mini size, the primary reason, I feel, why they are so highly sought after is because they are released in very limited quantities in limited locations.
Whenever the announcement goes out that Mansur Gavriel bags are going to be back in stock, they sell out online so quickly, even before you can switch on your computer to take a look. While brilliant marketing on the part of the company, I feel that this creates an artificial demand. And I dislike all these waitlist, limited edition crap, if I’m to be honest. I feel like a sucker putting myself on a the waitlist for anything, because it means that I too am fueling and falling for hype.
Sometimes, if you’re lucky enough to be in the USA, they’ve been reportedly sighted in department stores like Bergdorf Goodman and they are also reported to come in the more hardy saffiano leather, that is more scratch resistant, but not sold online. The original one is a scratch magnet, which is another reason I should talk myself out of it.
Yet, despite its shortcomings, the artificial demand, and the basic design, I still find myself lusting after one. Sigh…
Now, I own a bucket bag by a different brand, and really, I should be streamlining my bag wardrobe so I don’t own multiple similar designs. Bucket bags aren’t the most practical of bags to begin with. They are bulky due to the wide base, the opening tends to gape if you don’t tie the string shut properly, and it tends to be a messy black hole once you put your things inside.
Bucket bags also have a more casual vibe to them, which makes them perfect for weekends or casual outings, but less so for a more formal environment, or an environment where you have to look polished and in control, as opposed to rooting around inside a black hole of a bag, trying to find a pen. Oh yes, been there! LOL! 😀
But as I said, despite its shortcomings, I do still find myself irresistably drawn to it. Sure, I feel it’s overhyped as a brand and a bag, and the restriction of supply only pisses me off. But hey, a girl can lust, right? 🙂
I’ve been lucky enough to spot them a few times on Net-a-Porter but they came in sizes and colours I wasn’t keen on so I passed. If you too are in the market for one, the best place to stalk I’m told is the Mansur Gavriel website where a friend managed to snag one. I’d personally wait for it to pop up on Net-a-Porter because I know the shipping and taxes will be taken care of, but the sighting is rarer than that of the Tasmanian Tiger 😛
Are you drawn to bucket bags? Are you lucky enough to own one of these by Mansur Gavriel?
There are of course alternatives out there in different price brackets. I’ve considered them all, and some day, I’ll show you my picks from the different brands. But for now, I’m sitting here, seething at the fact that this one’s “Out of stock”, and trying to talk myself out of wanting one LOL! If you have one, TELL ME! Make me jealous! 😛
Paris B
I have seen it all over the net and i am really digging the bucket bag design ^_^
Just a matter of time, one of those bucket bags will be mine ^_^
Make sure you pick one that can be worn cross-body because I find that they look cool that way too, plus it leaves your hands free to shop 😀
Hey Paris, I’m a long term quiet stalker of your blog and I actually love these bags too. I think I’ve been quite lucky because I have two buckets and two totes and I bought them all off their website. I’ve even managed to help friends buy them ?. The key is definitely to wait for their website to restock and how to check out!
Hi Jessica, thanks for delurking! 😉 Yes, you are very lucky indeed to be able to grab so many! I’ve seen the totes quite often on Net-a-Porter but I’m not so into that design so I’ve passed so far. So, I suppose needless to say that you must really enjoy using their bags! Do they scratch easily and did you get taxed when they came in? 🙂
I’m actually in Australia and you don’t get taxes unless it’s above a thousand. It scratches so easily but I love them, weird I know. But I think it’s because it was made for that. And if I wipe it down it looks brand new again just more rustic if u know what I mean. I tried the tote in Malaysia and stressed the whole time I would be robbed. The bucket would be harder if you left your wallet at the bottom and topped it with all the other junk ?
I see, thank you for the tip Jessica! 🙂
I have seen this all over Instagram, initially I could not fathom the hype…eventually I was drawn to it. Funny how things are sometimes. At a glance, it seemed like they’re bringing retro back into style. Then it sort of become a fashion statement. I love the design and agree with you – the black and red combination is the killer one to go for. But I have this fear that I cannot pull off a sling and bucket bag. Not too much a hipster or retro girl I reckon? 🙂
Haha I know, Instagram makes everything just that bit cooler eh? 😉 Bucket bags have been around a while but I think they were really big some time in the 80’s At least that’s when I remember my aunt owning one and I told myself one day I would too! But you know what? If you like a design, just go for it! Don’t always have to fit your look cos after all, we all have different facets, and therefore different looks available to us 😉
Not Mansur Gavriel but damn, this one’s pretty. In case you’re interested. 😉 http://shop.monpurse.com/homepage-frame/bucket-bag-smooth-navy-fuchsia-gold.html
Ugh! Very pretty indeed and I can have MY initials! 😀
Once you have it, you will wonder what the hype is about.
Wait till the next trend.
I have in both leather versions.
Wanted it simply cos I was curious.
Very simple bag, very stiff leather and difficult to tie up for security.
Def not a bag to carry when in crowds or public transport.
Stick to your H. Better investment.
Haha Ok I’ll just keep lusting from a-far and see what happens 😉 I didn’t know you got 2 in the end! I have a bucket bag so I know what a hassle it can be especially in crowded public areas. Definitely worrying. Can’t buy now anyway, since I gave in to my 10 year lust for the b-bag LOL 😛
It is available @ http://www.openingceremony.us/products.asp?menuid=2&designerid=2151. It’s not calf leather and yes it scratches easily for the Italian Tanned Leather version which i bought.
Thank you Jennelle 🙂 Unfortunately, the site doesn’t ship to me here 🙁 Still, that’s probably a good thing! *pats wallet comfortingly* 😉
Pretty bag!
But totally wouldn’t be practical for me, so I won’t lust after it. I really need larger bags, unfortunately.
Instead, I’ll dream about Hermes bags with an extra 0!
The regular sized option is actually quite large! What sort of shapes do you like? I went large bags for years before finally gaving up after my back and shoulders protested hehe… Oh Hermes. Don’t we all lust after THOSE! 😛
It’s hard to say but I tend to like square/rectangular shapes. And bowling bags. So those English schoolbags!
Yeah, large bags are too heavy – but I can’t seem to refrain from carrying everything that I might need. I suppose I should shift to a backpack.
LOL, yeah!
LOL! You know, don’t knock the backpack – sometimes, being practical and caring for our bodies trumps looking stylish! 😉
Hi Paris
Newbie here! Recently discovered your blog and love it! Popped my head up to say that Kate Spade does a very very good duplicate – soft leather, red lining, the works! I’ve had people come up to me to ask where I got my Mansur Gavriel…little do they know! Oh and it’s much cheaper!
Hi Susie, thanks for delurking! 😀 I didn’t know about Kate Spade, so I’ll definitely take a look, thanks for the suggestion! At least I know I’m in fairly affordable territory there hehe… Glad you found a bag to love – bucket bags are quite fun little things aren’t they? Every time I bring mine out, I remember just how fun it is (but not how much fun it is to keep it tied closed 😛 )
Italian vegetable tanned cammello leather bucket bag with light pink (rosa) interior matte patent 🙂 I’ll be honest, I was NOT impressed when it arrived. But the more I used it, the more I fell in love. The leather and the way it “grows” with you… that’s something special.
Oooh is that the raw leather one? I like that one too! I read it’s like vachetta leather that will age and darken over time. I’m sure it’ll scratch like crazy as well but that will be part of the charm. I didn’t quite peg you for a rosa interior though! 😛
Neither did I! Long story but the happy ending is that I’m glad I got this. You’re right, it scratches
like crazy (in and out!) but it looks SO nice banged up! So nice that I loaned it out for it to be banged up further. True story!
I have one of this!! Like what Romana said, after you have it you will figure out why you bought it. It is very beautiful especially when you carry it and people will compliments it. But, after all it’s just a bucket bag. But after using it for a while, my whole bag is full of scratches! LOL
Oh dear! I’d heard of it scratching, but I suppose it adds to the charm? 🙂 I will have to think about it – no stranger to bucket bags but you know how it is – sometimes that itch demands to be scratched!